Widespread interest in an ancestral coat of arms prevails in the United States, especially among the descendants of early colonial families.

    The inheritance of a family coat doubtless transcends such a heritage as the sword of a Cavalier or the portrait of his Lady. The fact that the escutcheon had been bestowed upon a direct progenitor for notable service to the realm or to mark the dignity accompanying "faire possessions" would certainly make it a source of creditable pride. It is, however, much easier to display a coat of arms in the family name than it is to hang the portrait or the sword.
 

    The following statement from the report of the committee appointed by the New England Historic Genealogical Society regarding the subject is to the point:
 

    "It does not belong with a family name, but only to the particular family bearing the name to whose progenitor it had been granted or confirmed. Proof of right must be established by authentic pedigree direct from an armiger."

    Inasmuch as no authentic unbroken line of descent can be established for George Wightman of Quidnessett, however strong the evidence may point to descent from Thomas of Burbage, no claim to the latter's coat of arms is justified. Since, however, a Wightman coat of arms has been found displayed quite commonly both among the kindred in the United States and in Canada, data regarding the different coats bearing the Wightman name are presented.

The following coats in the name of Wightman are found in Burke's General Armory:

1. Arms. Per fess Or and Sable a maunch counterchanged.
Crest. On the stump of a tree proper a buck trippant Argent
collared, chained and attired Or.
Motto. A Wightman Never Wanted A Weapon.
The above coat is the inheritance of the lineal descendants
of Thomas Wightman, Esq., of Burbage, and is claimed by the
various branches of the Wykin line as well.

2. Arms. As above.
Crest. A demi savage wreathed round head and middle with leaves
and holding over dexter shoulder a club ppr.
Motto. As above.
This coat is the inheritance of a numerous and distinguished
Scottish branch of Wightmans. Whether it is the older grant
is a disputed question, as is also the exact relationship of
the Scotch and English lines.

3. Arms. Argent, on a Bend engrailed Gules, between three
Cornish choughs proper, as many leopards' faces Or.
Crest. On a wreath argent-azure, a stork Argent,
beak and members Gules, holding in her mouth
a Snake winding round her body and foreleg vert.
No motto. Family name Wightman used instead.
This third coat, much later, was granted for distinguished
service to William Wightman, Esq., of Harrow-on-the-Hill,
near London.

    The coat of arms of William of Harrow-on-the-Hill is quite widely shown as the ancestral coat of the descendants of George Wightman of Quidnessett. However, so far as the records show, William had no son to carry on the family name. Therefore, it is obvious that no one of Wightman name can rightfully claim descent from him, and consequently any claim to his coat of arms by one bearing the name "Wightman" appears to be totally unjustifiable

 

 

From "THE WIGHTMAN ANCESTRY" by Wade C. Wightman (1994).

Internet Adaptation by Sandra Shuler Bray